These funds will be distributed to people in need through local non-profit emergency relief agencies directly serving fire victims with immediate needs. These non-profit organizations have been vetted as trusted and well-managed direct emergency service providers and include:

United Way of Northern California

The Salvation Army

Northern Valley Catholic Social Services

"We are committed to supporting our communities impacted by the wildfires," said Richard Smith, President and CEO of Tri Counties Bank. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families affected, and our gratitude goes out to the brave firefighters and first responders who are battling to contain these devastating fires.”

Tri Counties Bank Employee Disaster Fund

As with others in our community, dozens of Tri Counties Bank employees have been affected by the Camp Fire that ravaged the Paradise, California area. All of our employees are accounted for, but many have lost homes.

In order to serve our Tri Counties Bank family - in addition to assisting the community - the Bank has started the TCB Employee Disaster Fund, which will specifically benefit the employees of Tri Counties Bank who have suffered due to the Camp Fire.

Local Assistance

The FEMA local assistance center (LAC) is open for business 9am to 7pm seven days a week until further notice at the old Sears store at the Chico Mall. Anyone who has been evacuated or suffered losses should register with FEMA for assistance. Victims of the disaster should register with FEMA online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362 before visiting the LAC.

Tri Counties Bank has been raising funds for direct assistance to victims through our Go Fund Me account and through our branches, in cooperation with the United Way of Northern California and our partners at Action News Now. These funds are being distributed, even as we continue with our fund raising efforts.

The United Way has set up a booth at the LAC (towards the back of the building) to take applications for small cash grants to assist victims with immediate needs.

The Bank has also made a large cash grant to the Salvation Army to help fund the gift card program at the emergency evacuation centers, and employees have collected new merchandise such as warm coats, socks, sleeping bags, etc. for distribution at these centers

We have also supported the Northern Valley Catholic Social Services group with a large cash donation to support their ongoing efforts to re-home low income families and seniors

Important Information from FEMA

Remember to protect yourself, and the people you care about, from disaster fraud. Here’s what you should do if:

You try to register for FEMA assistance online, but you receive a verification error. You should call FEMA at 800-621-3362 to complete your registration with a FEMA representative who can tell you the reason for the verification error. If you suspect fraud, contact the Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721. You can also report fraud to the Federal Trade Commission at www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov.

You receive a call from someone asking to verify your FEMA registration, but you did not apply for FEMA assistance. You may report the name and phone number of the person calling to the Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721. If you are unsure or uncomfortable with anyone you encounter claiming to be an emergency management official, do not give out personal information, and contact local law enforcement. All FEMA employees will have a FEMA Badge.

An inspector comes to your home without a FEMA photo ID. Do not let someone in your home who claims to be a FEMA inspector but does not have a FEMA photo ID. Always ask to see a FEMA photo ID badge. A FEMA shirt or jacket is not proof of identity. All FEMA representatives, including our contracted inspectors, will have a laminated photo ID. If unsure, call FEMA at 800-621-3362 (FEMA).

Someone comes to your home to conduct an inspection, but asks for money before starting. Federal and state workers do not ask for—or accept—money. FEMA representatives will never charge for disaster assistance, home inspections, or for help filling out applications. Stay alert for false promises to speed up the insurance, disaster assistance, or building permit process.

Safe Deposit Box Information

Victims of the Camp Fire may open a safe deposit box at any Tri Counties Bank branch, pending box availability at that branch. We will waive the standard fee for the first year.

If customers’ safe deposit box keys were lost as a result of the Camp Fire, Tri Counties Bank will replace those keys, waiving standard key replacement fees.

While the Paradise Branch is still standing, it will remain closed for the foreseeable future. When the branch reopens, safe deposit boxes will be available, pending inventory.

Personal/Business Checks Information

Paradise customers should have the cost of their replacement personal checks waived and can also receive $250 off replacement business checks.

Loans Information

Specific Loan Assistance

Customers with loan concerns as a result of the Camp Fire should contact our Customer Service Call Center at 1-800-922-8742, Monday–Friday 7:00AM–7:00PM, Saturday 9:00AM–6:00PM, or Sunday 11:00AM–4:00PM.

Do I have to make my mortgage payment?

Payments are still due however, we will waive late fees for the next 90 days and will not report the loans delinquent to the bureaus. Payments may be due in full after that forbearance. Each loan will have to be reviewed. At the end of 90 days the loan should be brought current or paid off or you should make other formal forbearance options with the Bank.

I want to pay my loan off but it has a prepayment penalty.

For consumer home equity lines of credit, we will waive prepayment fees for eligible properties. For commercial or business banking loans, we will address each situation individually and work with you towards a solution.

I don’t have a real estate loan but I have a vehicle or other loan. Do I have to make my payments?

Payments are still due; however, we will waive late fees for the next 90 days. At the end of 90 days, the loan will have to be brought current. Additional extensions will require a formal forbearance application for those eligible.

I don’t know my policy or agent information.

Please contact our Customer Service Call Center at 1-800-922-8742, Monday–Friday 7:00AM–7:00PM, Saturday 9:00AM–6:00PM, or Sunday 11:00AM–4:00PM, and they will provide you with that information.

We require the Bank to be listed as additionally insured on your policy. We are responsible for ensuring that repairs are satisfactorily completed and your home is restored to its pre-existing condition.

Will Tri Counties Bank endorse my claim check?

If your payments, insurance and taxes are current and your claim is less than $10,000, we will endorse the check. If the claim is more than $10,000, we require that you establish an insurance proceeds account to monitor repairs payments. We also require a final inspection of the completed repairs.

Can I pay my loan balance in full with insurance claim check?

If your claim is greater than your outstanding loan balance or you have additional funds to payoff the loan in full, you may pay off your balance. You must obtain a pay-off quote from Tri Counties Bank to ensure that your funds will cover the total outstanding amount. You must still open an insurance proceeds account that will be controlled by the Bank. We will then pay off the loan and disburse any excess proceeds to you.

May I use my claim funds to pay my past due balance?

Insurance claim funds are intended to repair your home to its pre-existing condition. You may not apply your insurance claim check to an outstanding balance on your mortgage unless it is enough to pay the full loan balance.

What happens if my claim amount is greater than the principal balance on my loan?

If your claim amount exceeds your principal balance; we will release the difference to you upon inspection of the completed repairs. How do I begin the claim check process?